Do you need a UK ETA?
Two questions, one honest answer. This checker tells you when you need a visa instead of an ETA, and when you need nothing at all.
This tool is guidance, not a decision
It reflects the GOV.UK rules as we verified them on 2026-08-28. Immigration rules change, and only the Home Office can decide your case. If anything about your history is complicated, talk to us before you apply.
The rule in plain language
The United Kingdom sorts every traveller into one of three groups.
1. You need an ETA
You hold a passport from one of the 83 countries that do not need a visa for short UK visits, and you have no existing UK immigration permission. This is most Gulf, North American, European, Japanese, Korean and Australian travellers. You must have the ETA before you board.
2. You need a visa instead
Your nationality requires a visa for any visit to the UK. An ETA is simply not available to you, and no agency can obtain one. You need a Standard Visitor visa, which is a longer application with supporting documents and, usually, a biometrics appointment.
- 🇮🇷Iran
- 🇮🇶Iraq
- 🇪🇬Egypt
- 🇯🇴Jordan
- 🇱🇧Lebanon
- 🇸🇾Syria
- 🇾🇪Yemen
- 🇹🇷Türkiye
- 🇮🇳India
- 🇵🇰Pakistan
This is a partial list — around 100 nationalities need a UK visa.
3. You need nothing
British and Irish citizens, and anyone already holding UK immigration permission, travel on that status. If you hold a British or Irish passport you cannot even apply for an ETA — the system will reject you.